This paper evaluates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts that result from individuals participating in carsharing organizations within North America. The authors conducted an online survey with members of major carsharing organizations and evaluated the change in annual household emissions (e.g., impact) of respondents that joined carsharing. The results show that a majority of households joining carsharing are increasing their emissions by gaining access to automobiles.

Key findings



The distribution of the change in annual household GHG emissions shows the wide diversity of GHG impacts exhibited by carsharing members



While the distribution shows that carsharing members are skewed toward the young adult demographic, there is considerable representation among older respondents.



Based on knowledge of the carsharing industry, we consider the share of inactive members to range between 15% and 40% at the time of writing.



View



View PDF



Behind a hard paywall (paid accounts only)



Behind a soft paywall (limited views allowed until a paid account is required)